With age, it is only natural for the elderly to spend more time sitting down on a chair as they rest, watch TV, or enjoy other activities. However, a chair that's uncomfortable and not built with the elderly in mind can give rise to frequent back pain, poor posture, & spine problems. Fortunately, most of these problems can be managed by investing in a comfortable chair that's specifically made for seniors. Such chairs are designed to promote proper posture & keep the back pain away even for extended periods of sitting. That's why today, we will look at key considerations for choosing the best chair for the elderly. In addition, we will also look at different chair options that are ideal for senior citizens.
5 Considerations for Choosing the Best Chair for the Elderly
Not sure what factors to consider when buying chairs for the elderly? Then remember the following considerations to make an informed decision:
1. Comfort & Padding
One of the crucial factors to consider for finding the best chair for seniors is its comfort level. As mentioned earlier, seniors are prone to spend more time sitting down, which raises the need for adequate cushioning & padding to provide a comfortable experience.
Ample padding on the seat & the backrest helps to distribute the body weight evenly & thus alleviates any discomfort. In addition, the use of high-density foams conforms to the body's contours & thus helps lower the chances of pressure sores.
In addition, the right amount of cushioning is also important as it helps to avoid pain, aches, and spinal alignment issues. As for the exact amount of padding, it is better to balance between inadequate padding and excessive softness. After all, inadequate padding leads to discomfort, while excessive softness can hinder movement in the elderly.
2. Seat Height
Ideally, a chair for seniors should have adequate seat height to ensure they can easily sit down and stand up. A chair with a lower seat height can make it difficult for seniors to stand up & thus give rise to mobility challenges.
On the contrary, a chair with a high seat height can increase the chances of accidental falls & thus pose a security risk for the elderly.
Chairs designed specifically for seniors must have the right seat height to promote mobility. Similarly, the inclusion of an adjustable seat height feature can allow the elderly to select the ideal height.
The ideal seat height for seniors is when the knees are at the hip level or slightly below it. This seat height allows the seniors to stand up and sit down from the chair effortlessly.
3. Armrests
Another factor to consider in a chair for seniors is the presence of armrests. Obviously, armrests are only present in armchairs by design & are not available in side chairs, barstools, & sofas. That's why it is usually best to go for armchairs, as they offer additional support & practicality.
Armrests can facilitate the elderly during sitting down & sitting up. Additionally, armrests also minimize the risk of falls & injury by providing a secure leverage point.
Armrests also provide additional support to the arms by keeping them in a resting position, keeping the joint pain, arthritis, & other musculoskeletal issues at bay.
4. Material and Upholstery
Choosing the right material & upholstery is also a crucial factor when looking to buy chairs for seniors. Ideally, the materials used in the chair should be easy to clean, as accidental spills are common among seniors.
A good chair that's made for seniors should use a breathable & hypoallergic fabric to prevent overheating & allergies. An additional benefit of such a fabric is that it can also help improve the overall comfort level of the chair.
Materials such as synthetic fabric & leather are preferred as they can be easily cleaned. In addition, these materials can also withstand wear & tear as well as retain their pristine condition for an extended period of time.
5. Stability
Stability is also important, just like the seat height, comfort, & armrests! A good chair for seniors should provide a stable & secure seating experience with minimum risk of accidents & falls. This can be achieved with reinforced frames, sturdy construction, & the use of anti-tip features.
Similarly, the weight capacity is also an important consideration as it defines how much weight a chair can accommodate. If you think about it, a chair with a lower weight capacity may break and cause injury to seniors. That's why it is important always to check a chair's maximum weight capacity.
For example, Yumeya ensures that all of its senior chairs can withstand 500 pounds. This is a sufficient weight capacity, making it ideal for all seniors as it leaves little to no chance of the chair breaking down!
Best Chairs for Elderly People
Now that you know the ingredients of a good chair that's specifically made for the elderly, let's take a look at different options:
Lounge chairs are usually the top choice for the elderly since it delivers the perfect blend of comfort & relaxation. The lounge chairs for seniors offer generous cushioning, supportive backrests, & exceptional durability.
At Yumeya, we offer the best lounge chairs for the elderly, which are ideal for reading, napping, or simply unwinding. And the best part is that these lounge chairs for the elderly are available in numerous beautiful designs that can complement any atmosphere.
Sofa
Sofas are also an excellent seating option for the elderly as they provide spacious & comfortable seating for both individuals and guests.
The best sofa for the elderly usually comes with supportive cushions, adequate height, & comfortable backrests to ensure maximum relaxation & comfort.
A sofa can be a great addition for seniors as it provides ample opportunities for social interaction. For example, 2 seater sofa for the elderly can accommodate up to 2 people & thus helps the elderly to enjoy family gatherings and socialization.
Next up on our list is armchairs, as they provide additional support through the armrests. This extra support can help seniors easily sit down or stand up from the chair. At the same time, armchairs can provide additional comfort & support to the arms & thus provide full body comfort.
One of the major benefits of armchairs is that they usually come in different styles & sizes, which makes it easy to fit them into the overall decor.
Love seats provide a compact & comfortable seating solution for seniors. The default design of love seats is basically two-seat couches, which makes it easy for seniors to socialize and relax at the same time.
One of the major benefits of love seats is their smaller size and the ability for up to 2 people to sit at the same time. In smaller living spaces, it can be the ideal choice for providing the comfort & support needed for the elderly.
Side Chairs
Another popular seating option for the elderly is the side chairs (accent chairs), which bring versatility, style, & comfort into one package.
One of the major benefits of side chairs is that they can be placed anywhere & used for a wide range of activities. Although they don't offer the same support as the armchairs, they are still a comfortable seating option for reading areas, dining areas, and so on.
When choosing side chairs for seniors, prioritize designs that complement the existing décor while ensuring they provide sufficient support and comfort for extended use.
Conclusion
Just because you are searching for furniture for senior citizens doesn't automatically mean that you have little choice. In fact, many manufacturers actually build furniture for furniture in different designs & shapes. Basically, as long as a chair meets most or all of the considerations (durability, comfort, safety, etc.) mentioned above, it is the right choice for seniors!
At Yumeya, we offer numerous designs & types of chairs for the elderly, such as armchairs, side chairs, love seats, lounge chairs, & so on. And the best part is that all of our chairs are built with the elderly's health & care in mind. This means that buying chairs for seniors from Yumeya is your investment in a safe, durable, & comfortable seating solution for the elderly!
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